2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: Lead-Safe Rhode Island Campaign

Lead-Safe Rhode Island Campaign Helps Pay the Cost of De-Leading Homes

Providence. In three years, the Lead-Safe Rhode Island Campaign resulted in more than 600 lead-safe houses and apartments. To combat childhood lead poisoning, the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation uses a $3 million HUD Lead Hazard Control grant as the centerpiece of a campaign that has raised more than $7,400,000 in cash and in-kind services. In addition, the campaign enables income-eligible homeowners and landlords to cover the cost of lead abatement by offering deferred-payment loans, which do not have to be repaid as long as they continue to own the property. This program works in partnership with the Health Care Financing Administration, which uses Medicare reimbursement funds to underwrite the cost of window replacement. This partnership is the first of its kind, and will be used as a national model by the Health Care Financing Administration. The Lead-Safe Rhode Island Campaign can be used as a model to make other communities lead-safe.

Contact: Chris Barnett, Phone: (401) 457-1219
Tracking Number: 2735
Winning Category: Program (Office of Lead Hazard Control)

Best Practice: PHA Volunteers in Action

Volunteer Group Sparks Community Service Among Public Housing Residents

Providence. PHA Volunteers in Action is a collaboration between the Providence Housing Authority and the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island which work together to increase resident participation in their communities. The goal of this program, which began in 1999, is to provide opportunities for public housing residents to participate in monthly community service projects. The program’s 48 volunteers supervise youth program participants, conduct community outreach and provide other forms of assistance. These volunteers have completed nearly 1,900 hours of community service in their neighborhoods.

Contact: Stephen J. O’Rourke, Phone: (401) 4571-6400 Ext. 1101
Tracking Number: 2209
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: Help at Home

Help at Home Extends Independent Living by Providing Seniors with In-Home Assistance

Coventry. The Help at Home Program provides assisted living services to residents in their own homes, including three meals a day, medication monitoring, wellness and health intervention and education, personal care assistance, transportation, day care, friendly visitor, case management and a caregiver support group. The Coventry Housing Authority recognized a need for a wide range of social services for elderly residents to prolong their ability to live independently. The Help at Home Program was designed to forestall or prevent nursing home placement and to decrease the need for hospitalizations, as well as to prolong physical and social independence. The elderly and disabled residents who participate are healthier, more secure and more engaged in activities. The program relies upon an enhanced Resident Service Coordinator model. The coordinator develops alliances and agreements with community service providers of assisted living services. Food service is provided through community resources and supported by a volunteer network. The program is funded through a budget of only $23,000.

Contact: Jacquelyne T. Lusardi, Phone: (401) 828-4367
Tracking Number: 121
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: World of Work Plus

Comprehensive Employment Training Program Helps Clients Prepare for Work

Providence. World of Work Plus services help Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Section 8 and public housing recipients find stable employment. The program offers case management services, a six-week job readiness program in English and Spanish, community work experience, job placement and retention services, and adult education services. The program also provides customers with the ability to interface with the state TANF agency. Furthermore, customers can access up to $750 to purchase items that will help them obtain and retain employment. In less than one year, the program has had marked success. Since 1999, World of Work Plus has operated several offices where customers can receive services. It placed 24 individuals in paid employment, 32 individuals received educational assessment and 32 received their General Equivalency Diploma. This program is the result of a partnership between the Providence Housing Authority, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Providence/Cranston Job Training Partnership Administration (now the Providence/Cranston Workforce Investment Office), Job Link Inc., and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.

Contact: Stephen J. O’Rourke, Phone: (401) 751-6400 Ext. 1101
Tracking Number: 2155
Winning Category: Geographical

Content Archived: April 20, 2011